The Fight

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Before and After

Almost a month. This might even be a record. All I know is that it has been so long since I wrote a post that I forgot how to get in here, so I have been even more delayed! Things have been crazy busy. As usual, but actually, more than usual. I have been creating up a storm, and it shows. Not in any actual finished projects, but in the huge mess I left in my studio.

Last fall I had a photo shoot here at my home. (More about that later.) Yesterday I finally got the photos back to proof, and I was stunned. They are beautiful. Then I looked at my studio.

Something is wrong with this picture. Too many projects going on at once!! I haven't seen the window seat in months. Shipments of products are all over. My designing mess has exploded. I still haven't unpacked from my last trip, (there was no where to put anything, anyway) there is a cutting mat under here somewhere. . . It was so bad it was getting funny.

I asked my husband what he thought of the photos from the profile shoot. His reaction was the same as mine. (Wow, the studio was clean back then.)

So I finished the deadlines I had, and today Sarah and I tackled the studio. We are not done re-organizing yet, but I can say that I do have surface area!! I had forgotten!
Here is an "after" shot.

Much better. I know you have seen this before, but I had to prove to you that I did clean up today. Now I can get back to sewing!! Can't wait! I have a whole bunch of projects to do for Market that is coming up next month, so I needed some space to THINK. And sew. I can't seem to concentrate when everything is a mess. How about you? Do you like to work in a clean space, or does it matter?

After I found my sewing counter, I set up something new. Guess what I got?

Yep. The good folks at BERNINA sent me a new machine to try out for a year. I am a BERNINA Ambassador--how lucky can I be?? My favorite sewing machines ever!!!! I have had two BERNINA machines before this and wouldn't sew on anything else! My first machine lasted me 20+ years, and actually, it is still sewing. It has a LOT of miles on it! My sweet husband thought I had it long enough and one day he came home from work early and took me to the BERNINA store to pick out a new machine. I love the new machine he bought me that day--it isn't very old, only about 6 or 7 years, and I will continue to use it a long into the future.

So now I have this:

A BERNINA 750 QE. It is huge! And heavy. (I won't be taking this machine on any airplanes--so it is a good thing I still have my other BERNINAs.) I choose this machine for many reasons. Here are a few:
* Extra long free arm. A full 10" to the right of the needle! Great for quilting.
* Dual Feed. You can engage it or not--to feed the top and bottom fabrics at the same time.
* Stitch regulator. Free motion quilting sure is easy with this gadget.
* Knee lift. A BERNINA feature I always love.
* 9mm stitch width for decorative and zig zag stitches.
* the 9 Hook system--makes it run quiet and FAST. 1000 stitches per minute!
* Large capacity bobbin--holds 80% more than standard bobbins. (And with Aurifil thread, it's even better!)

But there is a draw-back. I don't know how to use it. I guess I will have to watch the video and take a class or two. It is a "sewing computer," and that can have a bit of a learning curve.
Now that I have a nice clean space and room to sew, I'm sure I'll be stitching in no time!

BERNINA is the "Cadillac" of sewing machines, and Aurifil is the "Cadillac" of threads. They are a great combo!! I feel so fortunate to be a representative of both companies.

Because it has been so long since I wrote on this blog, I think I should reward you for coming back. Let's have a little prize give-away. Do you own a BERNINA? Tell me what you love about it. And if you don't have one, tell me why you would like to get one someday. I'll pick a winner in a few days and send a prize package of Aurifil thread!! You will love it! Maybe I'll throw in a pattern or two.
Good luck, and thanks for following!

I love my Bernina Aurora 440 QE. It is powerful, consistent and accurate. Congrats on your clean studio. I also like an uncluttered, organized workspace to think and work! Thank you for the chance to win Aurifil thread!

I have had two Berninas. The first one died in a house fire and I replaced it with a 1260 that I bought 20 years ago. I still have the original receipt and and it cost $3200.00. She was top of the line at the time and is still my only sewing machine. She still purrs like a kitten and handles anything I throw at her. The only thing I have ever had done with the machine is yearly spa treatments. They are built to last forever and operate like the day you bring them home. If I ever win the lottery the first thing on my list is a new 780 Bernina.

Congratulations on being a Bernina ambassador. I have not owned a Bernina but I hear they are wonderful!! My newest machine is a Janome...I love it but it does not have the even feed built in. If I were to buy a new machine...I would be looking for one with that feature. Thanks for the chance to play with some Aurfil threads...they are my favorite. My sewing room looks like your 'before' picture. I can't wait to get it tided!! Happy Easter Jill and happy stitching! Pauline

I just purchased my 1st Bernina a B350 PE. So far I love it, especially the metal bobbin case and not a drop on case love it!!! Also love how fast it winds a bobbin. I wish I had more money I would have but the one you are test driving maybe will be able to upgrade in a few years.

I have 2 Berninas (a 163 and a 440QE)and 3 Pfaffs (1071, 1523 and 1467). They are all old machines made and assembled in Switzerland and Germany respectively and all have metal innards and cases, not plastic.

I use the Bernina 440 and the Pfaff 1467 the most because they are in Horn cabinets. The others I cannot get rid of because I loved them each in their turn... Only the 1071 and 163 were bought new on incredibly good deals at the time.

Bernina is the Rolls Royce of sewing machines. If money were no object, I would like one with a bigger throat - but I am not interested in the embroideryaspect.

I would love a Bernina I know they are work horses and very very reliable, but unfortunately the best ones are out of my price range at the moment. But I have a Janome and I am quite happy with that. Thanks for the giveaway.

I have two Berninas! And I *love* them both. The first (a 900 Nova) my late mother helped me pick out when I graduated high school. The second was a present from my husband for our 25th anniversary. (he's a keeper! ;)

I would love a Bernina because I would love the built-in walking foot AND the stitch regulator. I've practiced free motion quilting, and I think the regulator would be super helpful and make it easier. I'm also thinking the walking foot would be great with fine fabrics like silks, helpful when you start to sew the beginning edge of a seam, and would help knits not stretch out, particularly hems.

I have two Bernina's. A 440 and a 780. Love them. Amazing stitches, great dealer support, and they are workhorses. I love how easy it is to change feet - I have large hands and the screw on feet just were not going to work. You're going to love the 750!

I've had my 750QE for nearly 12 months now.For the first six months it sat on the table looking lonely because I was too afraid to use it.Eventually my quilting teacher encouraged me to bring it to class (despite the weight!) and slowly I've learnt to love it.It took a class with Bree from Bernina to finally learn how to customise it so it now performs exactly how I prefer.Now I can't imagine sewing without it.

I have the Bernina Aurora 440 QE. She sews like a dream, hee quilting with the BSR-system is great! And now I also have found a quiltframe where I can use my "Nina" on as a kind of quiltmachine..... :)And the Aurifil threads are perfect on it! I always use them; they are my favourite! Have fun with your new "Nina"! And I think your studio looks superb! (whish mine would look something like that....it's probably more like the "before"-picture...... ;)Greets from the Netherlands!

I am a new Bernina owner (my first one!) & new to your blog & Facebook. I LOVE my Bernina. She is a 710. I have only had her for a month or so, but i love the perfect stitches. I look forward to many years of enjoyment.

I've been in 'awe' of Bernina's my whole sewing life. Don't have one, but would love too. The before pictures of your sewing studio look eerily familiar to my current sewing room. I need to take the same action as you did!

I bought my first Bernina, a totally mechanical 1031, more than 20 years ago. It's still my main machine and going strong! I have never regretted that decision. Your studio looks great. I can only dream of having that much room to sew in...😉

Love your studio! I, like you, need an organized space to create, think, and work. I am more productive that way:) I have an Active 220 Bernina and love it! I've had it for six years and plan on many more years of beautiful quilting to come. I've never tried Aurifil, but would love to:)

I have an Aurora 440QE and love itI have had it since'06. I use it everyday. I was looking to upgrade to the 750 QE but am taking more time because of all the computer gizzmoz so I will be interested in seeing the good and the bad about it.

Sadly, I do not own a Bernina (yet). Someday, I hope to have one! I do, however, have Aurifil thread, which I love!! I'd love to win some thread, and would be so excited to get a Jillily pattern. Thanks for the giveaway!

I do not own a Bernina and don't know if I ever will be able to afford one but am hopeful that I will. I did get to sew on one at a quilting show and loved it so much. My daughter who doesn't sew was with me and proudly uses the bag she made. It was truly an amazing machine that was so much fun to use

I don't have a Bernina, I have a Janome, I'm very happy with it (unlike my previous machine, a Brother, which was a nightmare). If and when I need a new sewing machine I'd consider just about any brand, but I have heard great things about Bernina machines.jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

I have a 20 yr old Elna, quite a small, basic machine. Have been thinking it is time for a new machine and all my research leads me to choosing a Bernina. They have all the features I need, now I just need to start saving my pennies.

My sister had to talk me into spending the $$ [tax refund] and I bought a 440QE several years ago. It took me awhile to switch over, but now...it's my dream come true!!! Looking forward to seeing more of your ideas now that I've found you :)

My family has always had Berninas. They are the best! For high school graduation, my mom got me a little electronic 1090--I still have it and works like a dream and powerhouse 18 years later. I adore it, but I wish I had embroidery and more space: 5" is not enough to FMQ and it's tough wrangling big quilts. My favorite features: push button toggles, Freehand system, needle down position, all the power and versatility with the many feet.I would love more thread and a chance at a 750!reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

I love my Bernina! I inherited it from my mother-in-law when she passed away. It is a few years old now, but to me it is as good as any new sewing machine. It is dependable and makes sewing so much fun!

I have 2! My wonderful husband bought me the Bernina Artista Embroidery Machine about 10 years ago and I just love it. I go to a lot of retreats and am a member of 2 quilt guilds, so I haul my machine around a lot. It made him nervous for me to take my Artista all over, and it is heavy. So he bought me the 350 Patchwork edition a couple of years ago. Thanks for sharing with us.

After 15 years of quilting I finally bought a bernina 550 about 1 month ago. I have pieced one quilt on it so far. I am in learning mode right now,. i have not used this thread and would love to win some to try. Love the studio by the way. Keep up the good work.

I have a Bernina 1080. I keep wanting a new one, but this one sews so well that I just can't justify the cost. I would love the extra large throat. I am also a HUGE fan of Aurifil! You have picked the best to work with and your work reflects it. I love your designs. Have a wonderful day!

I do own a Bernina 440 QE and it is a good friend to me! My husband recently surprised me by getting me a Janome (bigger than the Bernina), but I can tell you that I don't like the Janome near as well. I for sure will NOT be telling him though! They are both set up and the go to is the Bernina 440!

My old sewing machine (Brother) died a few weeks ago. I went over to borrow my mother-in-laws Bernina Active 130 and she said "I don't use it much, so you can keep it and if I need to borrow it from you, I'll let you know." A great mother-in-law right?

I do have a Bernina, actually more than 1. My original trusty 930 Bernina is over 30 years old, and I love it! I have since purchased a used 1230 and 1130 that are almost the same age, but are electronic and can do buttonhole/applique stitches. Love them all! Loved seeing your sewing room; shows there is hope for mine!

I always wanted a Bernina, but could never equate may sewing/quilting ability to that quality of machine. Then I stumbled on to one at an estate sale. It was in wonderful condition and in a price range I could afford. I love my 830 and she has improved my sewing/quilting abilities. I quilt more and would not trade her for the world.

I have a Bernina 830 which scared the socks off me at first because it is computerized, but love it now. I think it could sew by itself. I also have a Bernina 930 which my husband bought me after I had some surgery it is very old, but a work horse and still going strong. And I have just started using Aurifil thread. Thanks for the chance to win

I do not own a Bernina. But I do have a little old Bernette by Bernina. I lucked upon it in a thrift shop for $35.00 it sewed great once I cleaned it up and oiled it. I haven't used it in a while now. I mostly sew on my Babylock's. I would love to own a Bernina though as I hear so many positive things about them. Congrats on your being chosen as an ambassador. And enjoy sewing on the new machine they sent you. It looks gorgeous along with your lovely clean studio.

I have used a Bernina in classes, as the store is a bernina dealer. I love how quite they are and the ease they sew along during the project. I don,t have one but I love getting to sew on one. mgoeing@mikrotec.com

I don't have a Bernina but I would LOVE one! I'm new at everything and I'm loving all things fabric. I'm working on sewing better but with a tiny machine not too many options. I love your fabric lines, just beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway.

I hear so many great things about Berninas! One of the women in my quilt guild advised me to "test drive everything, then buy the Bernina." LOL. I've been doing a lot of quilting on a very basic machine and am definitely ready for something with more stitch options, a smoother foot pedal, and a bigger throat!

A friend loaned me an older Bernina many years ago so that I could do some decorative stitches. That machine chirped like a bird! It was kind of comical to use but not comical when the cost to remove the bird chirp was tallied up. I don't think my friend ever did have her machine repaired, and I never bought a Bernina. I've been seeing some interesting face plate designs though and wouldn't mind to have one of those. All I have to do is figure out how to make it happen. Thinking...thinking...(or maybe that should be plotting...scheming...).

I just found you via a Pinterest photo of one of your beautiful appliqué projects and I've been reading a few of your posts this morning. So glad to have discovered you! I LOVE your new fabric line and will definitely look for it at my LQS. I

I have had my 750 QE for over a year now, you're going to really love it. Just make sure you use a straight stitch plate for piecing and only use D feet with Dual Feed engaged. There's a Yahoo group for the 7 Series machines that is a great resource for questions or issues that come up when you're sewing after hours and can't call your dealer.